This year, the TURTLEs decided to participate in Long Thread Media’s Holiday Guide. 17 companies are coming together in a showcase of inspiration with fiber related gifts for your loved ones … or yourself. Get inspired with giving ideas, and at the same time you can sign up to win.
Hop over to the holiday guide, indulge exploring all the options, and sign up to win prizes! The giveaway ends on November 7th, which means if you don’t win you can still order your favorite picks in time for the holidays.
We published “Six Ways to Make Half Hexagons” a few years ago to show crafters how to weave half hexagons on their TURTLE hexagon pin looms. This is a good solution for straightening edgings on some projects, but fellow pin-loom weavers told us that they would like to have a dedicated and convenient half hexagon loom when a project asks for more than just a few half hexagons.
Welcome the Original Trapezoid looms in R-regular and F-fine sett, a shape that is most commonly used for half-hexagons. Use these looms on their own or together with any other “Original”-sized TURTLE loom.
Original Trapezoid, R-regular settOriginal Trapezoid, F-fine sett
Many quilting patterns use trapezoid half hexagons, either on their own or combined with other shapes. Find inspiration at our Pinterest board “Trapezoids … Half Hexagons”! I have only sampled a few ideas so far … take a look:
Bordered hexagons. Use on their own as coaster or put multi-colored units together to make a blanket.
Pinwheel or whirligig. Start with six trapezoids in the center, then fill in the border with more trapezoids. Use as table topper or put more units together for a blanket.
Opposite hexagons or hourglass. Put two halves together along the small bottom sides. Use for table runners, pillow cases, blankets.
The “classic” half hexagon quilt pattern … any or many colors, sometimes patchwork effect or with one solid color opposing several colors.
“Classic” half hexagon quilt pattern, using the half hexagons in a slanted direction.
“Braided” half hexagons. A fun way to make strips that can be used on their own or put together to make larger items like blankets.
Pin-loom weaving trapezoids opens the doors to even more applications, be it 3D shapes or an intricate shaping of accessories and garments as shown in the new Rhinebeck Headscarf.
To get you started on exploring trapezoids, here is a small project that you can try out on your new loom: For this Christmas Alpaca ornament I used two half hexagons to stage a landscape for an alpaca sew-on patch. Super-easy, and you “could” make a bunch of them for the upcoming holiday season:
Make a Christmas Alpaca Ornament
I used dishcloth cotton (3.4 yds each for ‘sky’ and ‘pasture’ ) on the new Original Trapezoid R. You can of course use the Original Trapezoid F and thinner yarn as well, but remember to adjust the amount of yarn needed. Weave one half hexagon in light blue for the sky and one in green for the pasture.
Weave one hexagon (6 yds in color of your choice) on the Original TURTLE Loom™, R, as backing. Optionally you can embroider the year or some initials on the back (I prefer to embroider while the hexagon is still on the loom; use the photo for guidance.)
Sew the two half hexagons together to make a full hexagon. Sew on an alpaca patch or embroider your own design onto the landscape.
Sew the two hexagons together (right sides facing out; use whip stitch)
The cotton is stiff enough that it doesn’t need any stuffing or support. If you use other yarns, you may need to slightly stuff the ornament like a hexie puff or you can cut out a hexagon from cardboard or plastic canvas.
Add a hanger of your choice.
I didn’t realize how addictive making things with trapezoid shapes can be, and I know that only time is the limit to exploring this new realm. My advice to you:
Enter the world of trapezoid weaving at your own risk … awesome fun awaits!
Recently, I sampled Lion Brand’s Local Wool yarn and fell in love with the rustic character. Even more, I noticed how nicely it fulls after a run through the laundry machine. Perfect features to make little candle cozies!
To assemble the leaves, weave in the end tails. “Secure” the thread with the first stitch by stitching through the yarn (splitting the yarn), then weave along one side of the hexagon. Clip the yarn.
Layout the three hexagons with the starting tails in the center. Use each starting tail to sew adjacent hexagons along one side, then weave in the end. Clip the yarn.
The finished leaves bottom looks like this. For the further assembly it doesn’t matter if you have the wrong or right side facing towards you.
To shape the petals cup, layout the remaining three hexagons the way they come off the loom (starting tail facing away from you towards the top, ending tails to the right).
Use the end tails to whipstitch together adjacent hexagons along TWO sides as shown (you start at the center bottom of the cup and work your way out, then up the cup sides).
Turn the right side out. Your petals cup will look like this.
Now fold over each tip and secure the tips with 2-3 stitches as shown.
Next you will attach the petals cup to the leaves bottom. Use a separate end of yarn in the petals color and start between the cup and the leaves. Leaving a tail, work small running stitches in a circle to connect the cup to the bottom. At the end of the round, double-knot the ends and clip. The following pictures show some details:
At this point your candle holder is ready to use (shown), or you can choose to full your project for a more rustic expression. I washed my finished candle holder together with some towels in my top loader laundry machine on a regular cycle. After that I tugged it into its desired shape and let it air dry on a flat surface.
For lighting, you can use a variety of LED lights with your new candle holder. I’m showing a few, they are all about 2″ in diameter.
If you are not into candles … the flowers will hold treats, too!
Make your candle holders in different colors for different occasions … so far I’ve used
Maple (orange) and Moss (green) for fall/Thanksgiving.
Apple Pie (red) and Moss (green) for traditional holiday colors
Blue Jeans (blue) and Vanilla Bean (natural) for a winter wedding table decoration.
And if you only have time to weave one hexie or only have small tea-LED-lights … we’ve got you covered with this project from our 2017 Advent Caldendar WAL …
The first batch of Original Jewel F looms is ready, and we know that some of you have been really, really waiting for it.
Without further ado, here is the new Jewel F loom, “Original” size, which means it works well together with other “Original” TURTLEs like the hexagon and diamond shapes. “F – fine sett” for sock/fingering yarn … American weight 1 – 2 and British weight DK with a knitting stitch gauge of 24-26 work best. Slightly thicker/thinner yarns will make beautiful denser/lacier fabrics.
This wheel sampler shows just a few examples of yarns that work very well on the new Jewel F.
Here’s a closer look at the sampler yarns:
Inspirations Patons Kroy Socks yarn is a sturdy, squishy sock wool that comes in many solid and variegated colors.
Desert Garden by Dyelicious Yarn has some colors that are dyed with TURTLE looms in mind. I used Lupine for this sample.
Many of Berroco’s yarns are perfect for (pin-loom) weaving. I am in love with Lumi, which creates a solid fabric with a festive sheen.
Holst Garn Titicaca is a lace weight yarn. Two strands held together create an amazing, super-soft fabric. I found this yarn at the Yarn Barn of Kansas.
Another Berroco yarn, Vintage Sock, is a very pleasant to weave, sturdy and easy-care blend that comes in many colors.
Fine-sett TURTLEs can’t be without one of the best cotton yarns that I know of, Scheepjes Catona.
If you miss out on the first batch of Original Jewel F looms, don’t worry, there will be more. Batch 2 is in the making and will be ready before Christmas. You can signup on Etsy to be notified when we list more, or you can contact us to get onto our list. That way you will keep your space in line and we will let you when your loom is ready.
When you get your Jewel loom, a great first project is to make some tree ornaments!
The yarn I used here is Chaos Fiber Co Christmas Time, a variegated green/red fingering weight yarn that creates a plaid-like effect while weaving.
How To Make A Tree Ornament:
Weave two jewels on your new Original Jewel F loom (or use your Jewel R with thicker yarn).
Sew the shapes together along the edges, leaving an opening for stuffing.
To give the ornament more strength, insert a piece of cardboard or plastic canvas (you can find the cutting template here).
You could also bend into shape or weave a fairy light chain, which will ad a romantic lighting to your ornament. Or use any stuffing of your choice for a more 3D effect.
Add a hanger.
Embellish with anything you like: Bows, bells, garlands, or embroider a name or a date.
This year, when you do your grocery shopping for the holidays, make sure to get some extra kitchen twine. Together with the Original TURTLE Loom R it may serve as a holiday emergency kit …
Weave up a stack of hexagons on your Original TURTLE loom (R – regular sett). Each hexagon requires about 6 yards of twine. Remember to weave loosely, since the twine has not stretch.
Now you will be prepared to:
Have some coasters for the beer.
Just weave single hexagons and weave in the ends. Done!
Have a basket for the dinner mints.
You will need three hexagons. Follow the instructions for the Easy Tassel Basket but skip the crochet border, and tie the flaps with simple single-string bows.
Battle the gravy spills.
Sew four hexagons together to make a puzzle block. Instructions can be found in this video.
Have a welcoming restroom.
Use single hexagons for make-up pads or wipes, offer four-hexagon puzzle blocks as guest towels.
Keep the kids busy with a bean bag toss.
Sew two hexagons together. Before closing the sides completely, fill the pouch with a handful of beans. Use any basket or bucket as target. (Idea from Paint Drop Toss Game)
Tip: Decorate the hexagons.
Optionally, you can decorate any of the projects with washable markers … another way to keep kids of all ages entertained while waiting for the meal.
Using dotting motions to apply the colors works well.
Do the dishes.
Seven hexagons make a nice flower dishcloth! Instructions for making a flower dishcloth can be found here.
Of course, you can still use the twine to tie the turkey or the roast! Most of all: Stay calm and weave on.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
All supplies and props – except for the loom of course – were obtained at a HEB grocery store.
